Celebrity Chef To Transform Historic Restaurant In Somerset County

BERNARDSVILLE, NJ — Bernardsville's longtime The Station restaurant is set to debut as Station Tavern on April 18 under award-winning chef and restaurateur David Burke.

The restaurant at 45 Mine Brook Rd. will remain open during the transition, except on Mondays and Tuesdays, as work continues on a new look and revised menu.

The 100-seat restaurant, with another 60 outdoor seats, is in a 148-year-old building across from the borough's historic train station.

The ground-floor space has operated as a restaurant or pub since 1954. The building dates to the late 1860s, when it was built as a private home, and was converted into the Claremont Hotel in 1878.

With Burke taking over, he plans to introduce a warmer design that builds on the restaurant's railroad station lounge theme.

The update includes dark blue walls, cherry red faux leather booths, locomotive-print wallpaper on columns, brass gear wall sconces and a vintage Union Pacific Railroad chandelier.

One décor piece has a personal link to Burke, a framed page from the July 11, 1970 edition of The New York Times featuring a story about his father, David Burke, known as Red, who was a career train motorman.

While there are changes, the casual tavern atmosphere, family-friendly setting, outdoor dining, live music and sports-bar feel will remain in place.

The menu is being simplified into seven sections, including appetizers, burgers and handhelds, steak frites, and classics and cutlets. Menu items include a $17 burger with fries cooked in beef tallow, a $24 rotisserie baby chicken with a side and unlimited fries, and a crispy pork cutlet Cordon Blu for $24.

Desserts are still being finalized, but Burke describes one likely option as, "Some sort of state fair-like fried candy or cookie."

The restaurant will also feature a square 20-seat bar with cocktails, mocktails, local beers and 12 brews on tap, plus boozy milkshakes and a daily happy hour. A rotisserie built into the bar and a carvery near the now-visible kitchen are also planned.

The Hampshire Companies, which owns the building, selected Burke after his work at Red Horse by David Burke at the Bernards Inn.

In addition to Station Tavern, Burke operates or directs the culinary side of five other restaurants and a bakery in New Jersey.

Station Tavern plans daily all-day service from noon to 9 p.m. on weekdays and noon to 9:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, with weekend brunch specials to be added.

For more information, visit stationtavernbydb.com.

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